Present to Queen Victoria - Cumberland and Westmorland Newspaper Transcriptions

Present to Queen Victoria

PRESENT TO QUEEN VICTORIA. - It may be remembered that QUEEN VICTORIA some
months since, sent as a present to the Emperor NAPOLEON
a field piece complete, with its ammunition waggon, similar to those in use
in the English army. The Emperor, wishing in his turn to offer to his
gracious ally a specimen of the French field artillery, has selected a
12-pounder howitzer, which, as is well known, was invented by himself. This
gun, regularly mounted on its carriage, is accompanied by its ammunition
waggon. It was cast at Douai, and has been since finished off in the
workshops of the central artillery depot in Paris, and, at the express wish
of the English Minister of War, has been left unpainted. All the parts,
both in wood and iron, are highly finished and well fitted, and the
'ensemble' is remakable for its severe simplicity.

The gun and the carriages are accompanied by a complete set of harness for
six horses, such as is in use in France. The piece bears the name of
"L'Alliance", so well in harmony with the reciprocal feelings of the two
governments.

On it are engraved the words "A la Reine Victoria, l'Empereur Napoleon,
1858", with the arms of England and the cipher of the Emperor surmounted by
an Imperial crown.

The gun, with its accompaniments, was embarked at Calais on the 7th, in
charge of Major MELCHIOR, of the artillery of the Guard, and two men. The
present is to be presented to the Queen by the DUKE de MALAKOFF. - 'Moniteur
de lArmee.
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